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[Narrator, Isabel] Since the beginning of time,
there was the Naughty-or-Nice List
a list so powerful
it can chart the course of your whole life,
and determine whether you have a happy Christmas
or one filled with
well, you know the story.
The original Naughty-or-Nice List
was the job of Santa's elves,
who had to cover every inch of the globe
to evaluate every single kid.
Thanks to modern technology,
that's not really how it works anymore.
As you get older,
the common logic
is that the Naughty-or-Nice List is a myth
a convenient little story dreamt up by your parents
to get you to behave around the holidays.
Well, I'm here to tell you
it's real.
How do I know that?
Well, every year...
I help create it.
[♪♪♪]
[roaring] Come on, Teddy!
Throw it as high as you can!
- [whoosh] - Oh no...
[glass shattering]
Uh-oh.
[♪♪♪]
Come on! Let's get out of here!
[♪♪♪]
Teddy, let's go!
Come on, Teddy. Do the right thing.
[♪♪♪]
[operative] Do we have a ruling?
We have mischief, destruction,
and evasion
all Level 2 violations.
We can close the book on him.
"Naughty."
[operative] Thank you, Inspector 036.
Some kids have to learn the hard way.
I'm not really a parking attendant.
I'm a Naughty-or-Nice Inspector,
and when a kid falls somewhere in between,
they send me to get a closer look.
It's not your typical job,
but then again,
I've never really lived a typical life.
[whoosh]
That's me,
and my trusty suitcase.
When you move around, like I did,
it can be your best ally.
I was on my own from a young age,
which meant I had a lot of different homes,
but none of them that were really my own,
so I got good at blending in.
Once I got older,
someone came to interview me
for a job I hadn't applied for.
I guess you could say I made their list,
and that's where I've been ever since.
It's funny.
Life just has a way of... Oh!
I'm so sorry.
Uh... I don't know how I didn't see you there.
I...
You're gonna need this.
Oh, thank you. Thank you so much.
This is probably where I should come clean
about double parking on the next block.
Oh, well, you're lucky I'm off-duty.
[chuckling]
[♪♪♪]
Oh, you-you forgot...
[♪♪♪]
[Isabel] This is where the magic happens
the Naughty-or-Nice Group headquarters
a company specially designed for the enormous task
of judging the behavior
of every single kid in the world.
Welcome back.
The office is buzzing about Teddy Stevenson.
[gasps] Rolling the baseball?
How did you know to intervene like that?
Article 48, Section One
allows for passive intervention
as long as it doesn't change the behavior of the child.
Oldest trick in the book! Wait.
I don't know you.
Oh! I'm Heidi, your new assistant.
It's an honor.
Coffee? Splash of oat.
It's nice to meet you.
Just as I was getting to know...
Alan?
"Brett" told me they cycle through
pretty quickly.
I wanted to hit the ground running,
so I've been studying the stuff you left around the office.
Did you know the file cabinet
was filled with half-eaten bags of chips? [Chuckles]
It's... been a stressful season.
Ah. Uh, also,
you have 64 days of phone and mail messages.
- One of them is jury duty. - Oh, the irony.
And lastly, we got this from the Audits Department.
Looks like they want you to revisit.
- Eddie Gomes' "Naughty" case. - [sighing]
They say he's turned it around.
There goes my morning.
The Audits Team loves to waste my time
reviewing this stuff.
You don't think he's changed?
20 years of being an Inspector.
Guess how many Naughty kids have changed?
- [cart horn toots] - Zero.
Ah.
Buongiorno and buongiorno, eh?
It's so nice, I have to say twice!
Oh, good morning, Giuseppe.
The best inspectors are either really good at blending in
or reading people.
He's a reader.
Mm, I have something for this awful day you're having.
How do you know I'm...?
Your eyebrows. They say everything.
Big line down your forehead.
[whispers] Maybe someday it stay that way!
Okay, all or a, eh?
These are for you,
to celebrate last weeks of the season.
Eh?
Do you see? They're you.
Eh? [Chuckles]
It's you.
[imitates a surly grunt] Hmph!
Thanks, Giuseppe.
[Giuseppe] Eh? You see?
[Isabel] That's so nice.
This is you... "Ah, ah!"
Happy! Sad.
Okay! Allora. Andiamo.
Andiamo!
Ciao!
[forced chuckle]
[♪♪♪]
[elevator bell chimes]
[multiple phones ringing]
Whoa.
[multiple phones ringing]
[♪♪♪]
First time?
Is this...?
The Eyes of the World.
[♪♪♪]
So much for "Elf on a Shelf."
Oh, don't be ridiculous.
He's been a very effective partner for us.
[♪♪♪]
[elevator bell chimes]
[♪♪♪]
Hi, Fred! How's it going?
Sorry, Isabel.
I really don't have the bandwidth for idle chitchat.
List Lock is on the 24th.
Oh, I hear you.
I have two weeks left,
and Audits just sent me a Reconsider.
Listen, I really need to see Eddie Gomes' new tapes
to get 'em off my back.
[Fred sighs]
Hmph. His tape hasn't been logged yet.
You can access it tomorrow.
I-I might be halfway around the world by then.
[keys clacking industriously]
[♪♪♪]
Is that
real gingerbread?
Hmm... I don't know. You tell me.
[retina scanner beeping]
[ding]
Welcome, Inspector 036.
Uploading Eddie Gomes' tape for review.
[♪♪♪]
[sighing disapprovingly]
Wow.
[♪♪♪]
Oh, wow. Destroying everyone's plants but his own.
And that's your ballgame!
Wait, already?
Well, yeah. We just witnessed Malice, Deceit, and Destruction,
all red-letter conduct violations.
But that bottle was right next to the fertilizer.
What if he thought that they were the same thing?
Something you'll learn here very quickly
when someone shows you who they are,
believe them.
[♪♪♪]
[Isabel] This is where
the Naughty-or-Nice sausage gets made.
They call it "The Pit."
All the information we collect is gathered here,
by these guys... the number crunchers.
Imagine an entire year's worth of information
boiled down to a "Naughty"
or "Nice" in a matter of seconds.
Now, most cases are clear-cut, but every once in a while,
they fall somewhere in between, and
that's where I come in.
Oscar!
Wow. This place looks great.
[chuckling] Hey, thanks. You like it?
The higher-ups, they took our trees away.
"Budget cuts."
But a few of us pitched in.
We decorated ourselves.
Looks so good. I love it.
Thank you. Hey, what can I do for you?
Well, I just reviewed Eddie Gomes' new tape.
You're never gonna believe it.
- [sighing] No. - I know.
[folder flaps shut]
I was really hoping he was gonna turn it around.
Me too, but there's always next year.
Yeah.
Hey, a bunch of us,
we're heading to Christmas karaoke tonight.
You should come.
Oh, that-that sounds like a lot of fun,
but I have a lot of work to catch up on.
No, come on! What're you gonna do?
Work away the whole holiday?
[laughs] You know, I work it, so everyone else can enjoy it.
That's... good work ethic.
Okay, back to it.
- [buzzer blares] - [Oscar sighs]
[phone chimes]
[sighing]
[♪♪♪]
I-I've seen the trends as well,
but I wouldn't call them "troubling."
- [putter hits ball] - [knocking]
Ex-Exactly.
[door latches shut]
I can't do anything about the, uh... Naughty ones.
- I can... - [clack]
only point out [grunts]
where there's an infestation.
[abruptly] No! No-no-no-no.
That's not the language that we use. Uh...
In fact, I think you're gonna love
where we're heading next.
I'll have Nancy send over a copy of the plan.
Give it a look-see.
All right, Mr. Kringle. You as well.
Wow!
- [earpiece hits desk] - Sorry to interrupt.
Not at all.
I heard a rumor
that you're spending too much time on the road.
Well, I guess that depends on your definition of "too much."
The building accidentally gave away your parking spot
two months ago,
and no one reported it
until this morning, when you... parked in it.
I have been quite busy.
Mm.
Isabel
you're one of my best.
Oh, thank you, sir.
So you can be candid if there's something wrong.
No, I'm just really trying to make a difference.
That's exactly what I wanted to hear.
Water?
Sure. Thank you.
Did I ever tell you the story
of why I started this company?
Yes.
[stops pouring]
But not recently.
[chuckles]
[thumps pitcher down]
I was four
when it first happened.
That Christmas morning,
I burst out of bed with excitement,
climbed down to the living room,
where my stocking was hung,
convinced that it would contain
a gift I treasured
a double-action slingshot
to prank my friends with,
but, instead, I found only disaster.
I'm embarrassed to say that my name
had found its way to the Naughty List.
I spent the next 10 years trying to clear it,
to prove to Santa that he had gotten it wrong.
So, on my 14th Christmas,
I awoke...
[♪♪♪]
But, to my disappointment,
my stocking still held coal.
If anything, it had gotten bigger!
From that moment forward, I...
I committed my life
to righting that wrong
creating an algorithm
to ensure that no child would have to suffer
the injustice of being wrongfully labeled.
Naughtiness needed mathematical certainty,
and with this company, that is what I've delivered!
[grunts victoriously] Ah!
[♪♪♪]
[blows air with resolve] Whoo.
Wow.
Just so brave.
Thank you.
So brave.
I know.
But I tell you this story for a reason.
Your work ethic, your integrity,
are the hallmarks I had in mind
when I created this firm,
and the board agrees.
If this season goes as the others have,
you're on track for a promotion to partner.
Oh...
Uh... [laughs]
Wow! I don't even know what to say.
Thank you.
That being said, while you are the frontrunner,
there is one other candidate in contention for the promotion.
Oh, really? Who's that?
- Giuseppe. - Giuseppe?
Did I hear my name?
"Giuseppe"?
Hey, Giuseppe!
Right on cue, brother.
Hang tight. I'll be right with you.
Ah, tutto bene! Tutto bene.
- [door bangs] - [Rudolph chuckles]
You know, there's just something about him
that reminds me of myself.
I can't put my finger on it.
Is it that he's a man?
Don't be ridiculous.
He's just strong and commanding and so relatable to me.
Now, listen.
There's no reason why you have to look over your shoulder.
You just take care of business this holiday season,
and you'll have a lot to celebrate this Christmas.
Thank you, sir.
On your way out, would you mind sending in Giuseppe?
Yeah.
Ah, this time, I am sure of it!
- Ah! - Hey!
[speaking in Italian]
- Acqua? - Sì!
Sì! Grazie!
[speaking in Italian]
[Rudolph] How is your mother?
[Giuseppe] Eh, you know, not so good.
[Rudolph] I loved the lasagne.
[Giuseppe] Yes!
- [jovial chatter continues] - [defeated sigh]
[phone chiming]
Oh...
Everything okay?
Yeah. Just when I thought I was settling in,
looks like I'm heading back to the airport.
That's quite the rap sheet.
I know. It's always the ones you least suspect.
Oh, um, your car...
Oh... [sighing]
Do you think you could give me a ride to the impound lot?
Thanks.
Being an inspector
is all about how close you can get to the action,
so disguises are key.
You have exactly 72 hours to make the call,
but when you've been doing this as long as I have,
that's child's play.
Step right up for The Amazing Charlie.
Prepare to witness things that shouldn't be possible.
For my first trick, I'll need a real $20 bill.
Okay.
Now watch
as I make it...
[blows air]
Disappear!
[kids] Whoa...
[Isabel] Wow. That's impressive.
Look at that sleight of hand.
Okay, who's next?
[children] Me, me, me!
[Isabel] Um...
Wait.
Did she just take his money?
[clamoring]
Okay.
[blows air]
Disappear!
[kids] Whoa!
Okay, who's next?
[sighs sadly]
"Naughty."
[wagon rumbling]
Inspector jobs aren't for everyone.
It's isolating, it's grueling.
It requires you to live a life of strict anonymity.
After all,
if kids knew exactly what we were,
they'd have no reason to be themselves.
[♪♪♪]
Now, as you can imagine,
there are some very strict rules in this line of work.
Observations must be done in plain sight,
and inspectors are forbidden to make contact
with their subjects.
[wagon rumbling]
[barking]
I know you're hungry.
[♪♪♪]
I have something for you.
[♪♪♪]
Theft and disobedience?
Who would leave their garbage here?
Okay.
Well, see you tomorrow, Winston.
[giggles]
[♪♪♪]
Congratulations, kid.
I'm officially confused.
[♪♪♪]
You couldn't make this easy.
While, technically, I haven't broken any rules,
you are prohibited from entering a subject's property.
Rule 16, Section 5 does state
that there are exceptions when your view is inhibited.
Now, something I'm never allowed to do,
under any circumstance,
is make contact with a family member of the subject,
which, fortunately, I never have.
Excuse me.
Hi.
Hi. [Chuckles awkwardly]
Do you... need help?
Uh, no. No, no.
I'm-I'm fine. Thank you.
Have we met before?
I... I don't think that would be possible.
Are you sure?
Because I-I got a really good memory
with this kind of thing,
and I'm pretty sure I could place you,
if I think about it.
Yeah, no, I don't think that that's possible.
You know what it is?
I have one of those faces that's just very familiar.
I-I get that a lot.
Or maybe you just know how to leave a good impression.
[chuckles]
Hi. I'm-I'm Jason.
[stammers]
Isabel.
Hi.
Um, I was just in the neighborhood.
I was looking, ahem, at electrical boxes and I...
Look. Look there. You have one.
So that's a... that's a great sign.
That's looking great.
Wait a second. You're with the power company?
Uh-huh.
I am so glad to hear you say that!
Ha! I was beginning to think
no one over there was listening to the messages I was leaving.
There were a lot of messages.
Here, come with me!
Really?
[chuckles nervously] What are the odds?
I just can't get these Christmas lights
to turn on.
The box hasn't worked since, well...
Oh, wow.
I was hoping it wasn't that noticeable.
Oh, it's noticeable.
There's an unspoken lights competition
in the neighborhood.
I needed them to be bright.
Admittedly, I used way too many extension cords.
Well, that's just part of being a good dad, right?
Next time, maybe you should carry a fire extinguisher.
Was it at school drop-off?
I'm sorry?
Where we met?
My daughter goes to Kensington down the street.
No, no. I-I-I-I-I don't have kids.
Hmm.
Uh...
Think I could convince you to take a look at all that?
We're two weeks away from Christmas,
and I hate losing.
I get it. I really want to help you, I do,
but I-I-I don't have my tools, and without them...
Tools! I got tons of tools.
[♪♪♪]
[operative] Hello, Inspector 036.
Do we have an update?
Here you go.
Oh!
There we are.
We've got all the tools in here.
Yeah, okay.
Was it at the farmer's market?
Uh, no.
Do you hike?
I do, but, um... not... not around here.
Of course.
It's something outdoors.
It's gonna come to me.
All right, well, let's get cracking.
- [deep breath] - Uh...
Why don't you... let me help you with that?
Oh, thanks.
Uh.
It's a bit of an unconventional box.
- Oh... - I know it's not up to code.
My wi... [sighs]
My late-wife said it was an accident waiting to happen.
Wow, look at this!
There are just wires on wires.
Yeah. Okay. Mm-hmm. One second.
All right. You know,
it's always a little tricky to know which one to cut.
- "Cut"? - Yeah, I'm sorry.
I-I have to tell you, I have to be honest...
I don't know what I'm doing, because I...
I just started.
Oh.
Yeah. There's still a couple tests I gotta pass.
Well, I appreciate you being honest with me.
I-I could send someone out to help you.
Really?
Yeah, of course!
Oh... thank you.
Saving Christmas... it's kind of my thing.
[chuckles]
Look. I, uh...
I hope this isn't too forward, but...
I think there's a reason why you're stuck in my memory.
I think you should stop thinking about it so much.
Do you want to go out with me sometime?
Yeah, no... no.
No, I-I can't because I...
I don't live in the area.
I know... I mean, all the places in the-the whole region.
Dad...
I'm hungry!
Oh, yeah. Okay, Charlie.
Um, hey, this is Isabel,
and she is helping us with our box.
Don't you guys usually wear uniforms?
Ah. We do. You're right.
Yes, which reminds me,
I gotta stop at the dry cleaners.
[Charlie sighs]
Da-a-a-a-a-a-ad...
Yes.
Yes. Okay. I will be inside, all right?
Just give me a... give me a minute.
[chuckles]
[Jason] Kids.
[Isabel chuckles]
What do you say?
[♪♪♪]
You know what? Sure.
Really?
Yeah.
That's... That's amazing.
Uh, why don't you
why don't you put your number on my phone?
Sure.
Maybe we can go out tomorrow night?
Tomorrow night. Yeah.
- That's great. Yeah. - Yeah.
Um, I'm excited.
Yeah, that's great.
Bye.
See you tomorrow night.
[♪♪♪]
Okay, at first, it seems like he's sabotaging his friends,
but when you look at the super-zoomed frames here,
you can see the whole row is fertilizer bottles.
Oh, wow.
You're right!
[both chuckling]
It's really cool how much you care.
- [phone rings] - Sorry.
Yeah. Yeah.
Isabel Haynes' office.
Heidi.
Oh, hey, Isabel!
I don't know who else to turn to,
and I need your discretion.
Is everything okay?
Uh, "discretion" means
you pretend like everything's okay.
Right!
I am in a predicament, and I-I really need your help.
Anything!
Okay.
Would you consider
a red plaid blazer
to be a "romantic" article of clothing?
I don't think a blazer is ever romantic.
What's going on?
I... [flustered chuckle]
I have a date.
Oh, wow!
You met someone?
Who is it?
Charlie's father.
- Oh, no. - I know!
It was an accident, and I-I don't know, I...
[stammers] Heidi! I could get fired for this.
So why are you going on a date with him?
Because Rule 1, Article 1, Section 4 says
you can make contact with a family member
if you were spotted by the subject
and they are part of your cover.
"Above all else, protect the operation."
Okay, so you're disguising as the dad's date?
It is the only way, okay?
And I'm gonna... I-I just... I'll close up.
Charlie's case, and then I'll get out of here.
Okay.
How can I help?
I need you to send an electrician
out to their house to look at their box.
Um, o-okay.
But, look
there's a lot of inspectors out right now,
so if you're gonna do this, you need to be careful
not to get spotted.
Please. Heidi, I know how to disguise myself.
Okay.
And one more thing?
Don't fall in love.
Oh... please!
I'm a professional.
[scoffs lightly]
[sighs wearily]
Merry Christmas! Thank you for coming.
Drive safely.
[operative] Good evening, Inspector 089.
Do we have an update?
We have a Virtuous Act in the holiday market.
Jacqueline is trending "Nice."
Perfect!
[Jason] Hi.
Hi. Hey!
You made it.
[chuckling] Hi.
I, uh, I put our names in at the restaurant.
We got... We've got a minute
if you want to you wanna... you want to take a look around?
Sure.
Yeah. Yeah, sure.
I like the glasses. Very Clark Kent.
Oh. That's what I was going for.
[♪♪♪]
Oh, so cute.
Is this here every year?
Yeah! Yeah. It's so great they do this.
Everything is local, family-owned.
I just love the way they support community.
You sound like a poster child for nice guys.
[chuckles] Not really.
I, uh, I used to be on the other side of things.
I was a food critic... one of those snobby, mean ones.
See? There's always a catch.
I would nitpick everything... the dinner mints, menu fonts.
Once I trashed a five-star restaurant
'cause the table made the olive oil pool southeast.
Wow. You know you don't have to tell me all this, right?
[chuckles]
Maybe I'm just too honest for first dates.
[chuckles]
So what changed?
[deep breath]
When Audrey passed,
I-I just didn't want to pick things apart anymore.
You know? I just felt so cynical.
So I dug up all the places I'd hurt with my reviews,
and I went to go work for them
give 'em a second chance.
I really do think we're all put here to do good.
It just takes a little coming around to.
Do I sound trite?
No, not at all. I love that.
What do you think this is?
[inhales]
Yule log?
Mm... crushed pine.
"Crushed pine."
That's pretty good.
How about you?
Uh, I...
Okay, this is gonna sound weird, but.
I love watching people.
Yeah, that sounds weird.
[chuckles] Sorry. I mean...
I love watching people try, you know?
A kid who's just trying to do the right thing
and almost gets there,
or someone who's having a bad day,
but they still find a way to be kind.
Guess it just makes me feel like maybe the world's okay,
like I can do something small that matters,
even if no one knows I did it.
I think that's beautiful.
What about this one?
Ahem.
[sniffs] Eggnog?
Mm-mm.
Amber nutmeg.
"Amber nutmeg."
Wow, you're... you're good at this.
I have a well-traveled nose.
Hey, they have homemade cider over there.
We gotta try it.
Over this way.
They're so good.
Hi.
Could we get, uh, two ciders, please?
[♪♪♪]
Thank you.
[♪♪♪]
[coughs]
Hey.
What's going on?
Uh...
I-I... I thought I smelled something burning,
but it turns out it's-it's
it was just this, um
oh! ...Authentic "chimney" candle.
Go figure. Huh.
I have never met anyone like you before.
Well... [chuckles nervously]
Here.
- Thank you so much. - You're welcome.
[phone buzzes]
Mm.
Uh, it's the... it's the babysitter.
It's okay.
Hey, Sarah. What's going on?
Oh!
Well, how's she doing now?
Oh, boy! Okay. Um
yeah... yeah, okay.
I'm... I'm walking back right now.
All right.
I'm so sorry, but...
Charlie came down with something.
Oh, no. I'll drive you back.
Thank you!
Hey.
- Hey, should I...? - No, no. Please come in.
How is she, Sarah?
Honestly, I don't know.
She said it was her stomach and then her head and,
and then she kind of fainted.
She fainted?
Oh, geez!
Sweetie, hey.
Um...
I-I came as fast as I could.
[wearily] Not fast enough.
I got a lot worse.
Uh... your fever is 105.
I told you, I'm dying.
Yeah, we-we gotta get-get you to the hospital.
[alert] Hospital?
Don't worry.
They have special medication there, all right?
Uh.
Should we bring your elephant or... penguin?
I'm 11.
The bear!
I don't think we need to go!
I'm starting to feel a little better!
[Jason] I know you don't wanna go to the hospital, honey,
but we can't take any chances!
[♪♪♪]
Uh, Jason...
I-I wouldn't panic about the fever.
Sometimes, these things just flare up.
I would maybe keep up with the ice,
give her some snuggles,
and just check it again in a few minutes.
Okay. Thank you.
Listen, I'm-I'm gonna go.
All right. Yeah, and I'm-I'm so sorry.
It's okay. Good night.
Good night.
Good night, Charlie.
[♪♪♪]
Scooch over.
You know, there's a rule.
You can't be sick at Christmas.
- [splat] - [chuckles]
I have to say,
things are really starting to come along.
We finalized the layout, the furniture's on its way,
and we got rid of that jukebox
that wouldn't stop playing "Tears in Heaven."
It's a lot of changes.
And change can be scary,
but my goal here
is to lean into what you do best.
You wrote that my shop
is "where good pizza goes to die."
And I have a lot of regrets about the wording.
Listen, Jimbo, you're a wizard with dough.
Your pizza is a masterpiece,
but frankly, you could use a little help
with the business side.
So I want to pitch you on some staging, okay?
Oh, come on, Charlie. Do something.
[Jason] You're the main attraction here
the fuel that makes this place hum.
So imagine this.
You
staged front and center as our star,
dazzling customers at the main counter.
[Jimbo] I don't know about a "star".
I'm more of a pizza chef.
[squeegee squeaks loudly]
[♪♪♪]
Did you hire a window cleaner?
[Jim] I thought you did.
[flitting cards]
[♪♪♪]
Charlie.
Oops.
Oh, boy. [Sighing]
[♪♪♪]
Can we do something fun now?
Oh, yeah
we.
Are going to get the tree.
That's more like a chore.
What?
You used to love getting the tree.
Like when I was four.
Oh, come on, Charlie.
[Jason] Isabel?
I don't think she heard me.
Hey! Isabel.
Oh! Jason, Charlie, hi.
Wh-What a surprise.
What a surprise, yeah.
Are you sure about that?
I'm so glad to see you're feeling better.
[Jason] Yes, she is, uh, and [sighs]
I am so sorry about the other night.
I owe you a do-over.
Definitely.
I just, I have to do some travel for work.
Why not right now?
What? Now?
- Charlie. - I mean,
we're gonna go pick out a Christmas tree.
It's gonna be so fun.
I don't... I don't know.
Well, clearly, we'd love to have you.
You know what? Sure.
Yeah, sure. Why not?
All right.
All right. Amazing.
Yeah, why not?
[Jason] Let's go! Wow. This is a coincidence.
Ahh! So
where do you want to start?
Let's start with some hot cocoa.
Me and Isabel are parched.
Right, Isabel?
Sure.
Okay.
Well, then, I will be right back.
I have a feeling we're not parched.
I know what's going on.
You do?
Yup.
Okay.
Uh, do you want to fill me in?
You like my dad!
Oh. Oh, no, no, no.
No, no, your dad and I
your dad and I are friends.
Do you spy on all your friends?
These are very complex questions.
I...
Look, I don't really consider it "spying,"
it's more like just trying to get the full picture,
you know?
It's kind of my way of getting to know someone better.
To make sure they're good?
Yeah, that's it exactly!
I don't know how helpful this is,
but he honks a lot when he drives,
he grunts when he gets up,
and he chews loudly.
What else do I know?
[realizing] Oh...
Charlie, I would never want to take him away from you.
I didn't say that.
I just want you to know
that he's noisy and has a nut allergy.
Noted.
Thanks for talking to me.
You know, it's always
it's always good to say what you need.
In that case, I need $5 for the snack bar.
Oh, okay.
Yeah, I guess I have to support that.
Well, there you go.
Live it up.
Where are you off to?
Popcorn!
I thought we were thirsty.
I don't know.
There you go.
Thank you.
[exhales]
You got a good seat here.
Yeah.
Cheers!
Cheers.
[Isabel] Wow.
They're just all so beautiful!
[Charlie] I know. None of them will work.
What do you mean?
Our tree has to be ugly.
Ugly?
Wait, hold on! Why does it have to be ugly?
It's, uh... we've been doing it since she was little.
It's kind of a tradition.
If we don't take the ugly one, who will?
Oh. Well, that's sweet.
That's really sweet.
Well, it is, until you have to hang ornaments on it
without it folding in half.
[ laughs]
I take it you've never had a tree topper
that dragged on the floor?
I actually didn't have a Christmas tree growing up.
Really?
But I loved to climb trees.
I would find...
I would find the tallest tree, and I would sit in it for hours,
and I would just stare out at the Christmas lights.
It was so beautiful,
made me feel like I was a part of it.
And I'd always leave behind these-these little notes
I had written while I was up there.
Like what?
So, some were wishes,
and some were just little fortunes
I'd hope someone would find.
You know, it's kind of like
how you are with those restaurants.
Like, I felt like if I could just do something good,
then the rest would fall in place.
- [wood snapping] - Look out!
- Oh! - [both laughing]
[laughing]
Whoa!
Sorry. Are you okay?
Yeah, we're-we're good. Thanks, guys.
Are you guys even looking?
Uh, yeah
yeah, of course.
No, we're starting with the roots
and then working our way up!
[both laughing]
Okay.
- That was a close call. - Wow.
Danger! Thank you...
- Yeah. - For saving my life there.
[sighs]
She's really comfortable with you.
It doesn't happen a lot.
Well, she and I have an understanding.
Well, can you let me in on it?
Half the time, I feel clueless.
Charlie was just so connected with her mom.
When I lost her,
I didn't realize I'd be losing that part of Charlie, too.
Then maybe this is a chance
to get to know a whole new part of her.
You think?
Look, when you lose someone that young,
it's hard to find hope in anything anymore.
I think she just needs a reminder that
she still has something worth believing in.
What's that?
You.
[Charlie] I found it!
[♪♪♪]
I love it.
It's...
Perfect.
And by that, I mean hideous.
I'm naming him Marvin,
and he's getting all of the big ornaments.
We'll see about that.
Well, let's bag him up.
["Santa"] Ho, ho, ho!
Ho, ho, ho, ho!
Hey... I got an idea.
What would you like for Christmas this year,
little boy?
Achoo!
Okay.
Okay. All right. Coal it is.
Why are we doing this?
Oh, come on, honey.
You don't want to see Santa?
- Santa? - Yeah.
That guy?
"Doug." His name's on the cup!
Okay, so that guy clearly isn't the real Santa,
but you know what?
I know he works for the real Santa, so...
- Exactly. - Couldn't hurt
- for him to know what you want. - Of course not. No.
Fine.
Oh! Ho, ho, ho, ho.
Have a seat.
Thanks, but I prefer to stand.
Oh! Heh. All right.
[chuckles]
And, uh, what's your name, little girl?
It's "young lady."
Okay.
Charlie.
And are you excited about Christmas this year, Charlie?
Can we cut to the chase, Santa?
[♪♪♪]
Right. [Chuckles]
Well, what would you like for Christmas this year,
Charlie?
There is one thing I want more than anything,
but I'm afraid it's too much to ask.
I can't make any promises,
but nothing's too big for the sleigh.
[chuckling]
Well, okay.
What I really want for Christmas is
world peace.
Oh, and a white rabbit, for magic.
Oh.
Oh, um, ha, well, um...
I-I-I...
I'll have to talk to the elves about that.
Um...
[barks] Can I get a candy cane over here, please?
[Isabel] Oh, Charlie, what am I going to do with you?
[phone chimes]
Okay, there's just... there's got to be an exception.
Okay, here we go.
"Naughty behavior can be excused under one exception.
Rule 1: There are no exceptions."
Now that's just bad copy writing.
[flits through pages]
[sighing deeply]
[keys clicking]
[line dialing]
Rules Department.
Hi, this is Isabel Haynes.
I was hoping to get some help with a really difficult case.
Case name?
Uh, Charlie Duncan.
What seems to be the problem?
Well, it's just complicated.
Charlie's behavior is Naughty,
but there's more to it than that.
I mean, she's lost her mom,
and I think a lot of this
is just a girl acting out her grief.
Um, hello?
Did I lose you?
Hello. Hello?
Ma'am... if the actions you've observed
are objectively Naughty,
you should follow the procedure
stipulated under Rule 5, Section 52...
No, no, no, but that's where you're not hearing me.
I-It's more complex than that.
She's been through a lot, and she's really trying,
she's getting better,
and if she lands on the Naughty List again,
I would just be devastated.
I mean... she would just be so devastated.
Ma'am, if I may
judgments can become difficult
if you get too close to the subject.
Okay, well, I-I'm gonna have to, like,
file for an extension.
I mean, I've never done that before.
Is there like a button for it or something?
Extensions are reviewed by the Extensions Committee.
- [phone chimes] - I've emailed you
the extension request packet.
On page 45,
there's a section that says, "Do Not Complete."
- Please complete it... - [phone chimes]
and a link to submit
your 30-minute video testimonial.
Please refrain from showing emotion
in your testimonial,
or your request will automatically be denied.
Okay. All right, I think I got those instructions.
Thank you so much.
Charlie, I don't know if I have a rule to protect you.
[♪♪♪]
[stops typing]
Freddy!
My main type of man. Ha!
I'm not available for conversation.
Ah! I couldn't agree more.
Conversations are the worst.
Uh, yuck.
It's just that I heard a little rumor,
and I couldn't believe my ears.
It said that Isabel requested an extension on her case,
and if I'm not mistaken
that's never happened before.
This is sounding like a conversation.
No! No.
But, see, Freddy, she's having trouble,
and she asked me if I can help.
Problem is, I can't help if I can't see the tape.
I can't give you access to the case footage
unless you're assigned to the case.
Of course! You're right. What was I thinking?
Yes. Silly man! Heh.
Uh, um, before I go
one more thing.
Do you like
delicious part of ginger?
Huh?
Come on, grumpy friend!
I can see it is changing your mind.
Brava. Mangia.
Kissy-kissy with the gingerbread.
[retina scanner beeping]
- [ding] - Mm.
Buongiorno, Inspector Cinquantuno.
Buongiorno.
Okay. Si. Andiamo.
[murmuring in Italian]
Well, well, well.
What do we have here?
[inhales sharply]
Does Isabel have un segreto?
[♪♪♪]
So I was preparing the invites for the reopening this morning,
and we are exactly where we need to be.
We just need to settle on our name.
I still don't get why
we just can't call it "Pizza Shop."
Come on, Jimbo.
That's like naming your dog "Dog."
Technically, it works
until you take it to the park.
Look, I know this is a difficult step,
so I went ahead and I prepared
a direction for you, all right?
[exhaling deeply]
Introducing...
[page crinkles]
Sips and Slices.
You pick a pizza,
we pair it with a bottle of wine
from our selection.
What do you think?
Uh, I don't know.
It's a little, uh
frou-frou.
Okay, um...
I thought this was the direction we wanted to go in.
It elevates the pizza experience
so that customers can finally appreciate
your complex flavor profile.
Nah, it's frou-frou.
[sighing]
Charlie? Hey.
You want to give us your thoughts on something?
Yeah.
What do you think about this look for the restaurant?
Mm...
It's too fancy.
Thank you!
Really?
You don't think it hits a cultural sweet spot?
I don't know what that is,
but when I have pizza, I just want to have fun.
I like her!
Okay.
All right, all right.
Let's start over.
So.
What else should it be?
It shouldn't be a stuffy place just for grown-ups.
It should be a place kids can go, too.
Okay. Wh-What, uh
what makes it kid-friendly?
Ooh! Ooh, ooh. Remember Lucia's?
Where we could, like, draw on the tablecloths
and there was, like, the music and stuff?
And the waiters would come out and sing "La Bamba."
Yeah! And remember, when we made pizza at home,
Mom would always save us some of the dough,
and we made little pizza people?
I forgot she used to do that.
I-I used to make a dessert back in school
it was like a pizza sundae,
where you could pick your toppings.
I want one of those!
I might have some waffle-cone stuff
out in the back.
Come on!
Come on, Dad!
Oh! Okay! All right.
[♪♪♪]
[wagon rumbling]
[chuckling]
See you later.
[♪♪♪]
- [thump-thump] - Uh...
[hinges creak]
Look, this is only gonna end one way.
[♪♪♪]
Oh.
Oh, no.
Come on, Charlie!
Come on.
[sighs]
[♪♪♪]
[woman shrieks]
Charlie, what are you doing?
What are you doing?
Can I help you, ice cream lady?
She's not an ice cream lady, Wanda.
She's my dad's girlfriend.
She's a spy,
and not a very good one.
What are you doing here?
Oh, I-I was just, you know, in the neighborhood.
Seems to happen a lot.
I-I just... I heard screaming.
Oh! [Laughs] That would be me!
Got a bit excited.
Charlie hid my $20 bill in my back pocket.
[laughing] Wow, in your pocket!
Right, uh...
I'm-I'm so sorry.
I-I just... I-I'm gonna, you know, I'm gonna go.
You should stay!
Hmm?
We were just about to start on ornaments.
Oh.
I love ornaments.
I think it was "lunkhead," or maybe "bozo."
It was definitely bozo.
Oh, bozo's my favorite.
[chuckles] Anyway...
I had lost my patience,
and if I could have climbed over the pharmacy counter,
I would have,
but it was Christmas,
and also I was practically blind.
Even now, I'm like a bat.
Except for when I roll my eyes.
[all chuckling]
Then, this lady
stepped out of line
and stormed right up to the front,
and with a calm voice, she said,
"If you don't give her the prescription,
I'll make sure you never work in this state again."
And she was just petty enough to do it! Ha.
You never saw a pharmacist move faster in your life!
[chuckling]
Ahh. Tch.
Her mother and I ran into each other a lot
at that pharmacy
especially toward the end.
Eventually, she found out I used to be a magician
and asked me to perform at Charlie's birthday.
Just like that?
Oh, that was Audrey!
She could see people for who they were.
I wasn't just a stranger to her.
No one was.
Needless to say
the party never happened,
but I still showed up,
and Charlie and I spent the day together,
learning every card trick in the book.
That's amazing.
Is that how these magic lessons started?
Actually... that was all Charlie.
[Charlie chuckles]
When she found out I was living alone,
she insisted on helping out
running errands,
picking up mail,
and my prescriptions.
Got all the good parts of her mama.
I don't know where I'd be without her.
[♪♪♪]
[chiming]
[door rumbles]
[door rumbles and thuds]
Okay.
Charlie?
Wait. Charlie, Charlie! No, no. Hey. Hey, Charlie...
You told me you spy to find out if someone was nice.
Okay, I can explain all of this.
You know, if you didn't like me,
you should've just said so.
Can we just talk
please?
Do you mind if we... can we sit?
I lost my mom too, you know.
When I was seven.
And my dad wasn't around.
I moved a lot.
I know what it's like
to lose faith in people
and feel like nobody believes in you.
I did lie to you.
The day I was at your house,
I didn't work for the power company.
[deep breath]
I was there because I was assigned to you.
What are you talking about?
I work for someone you know,
and someone who is very famous,
and I... [sighing]
Goodness, this is tricky.
Um.
I work for a company
that outsources
the Naughty-or-Nice List for Santa,
and it's my job to find out who's what.
You're telling me you work for Santa.
Yes. Yep. That's it.
That's who.
I mean, not directly.
I-I don't actually report to him.
So you were lying about the power company job,
this cookie job,
and you're telling the truth about working for Santa?
Look, you're skeptical, I totally understand.
All that stuff about Santa checking his list
that's just me.
Charlie, I know you're good,
and I just want to make sure you don't get coal again.
See... that's where you're wrong.
I've never gotten coal for Christmas.
[♪♪♪]
[sighing]
[door bangs shut]
Jason...
I have given this a lot of thought,
but I'm not who you think I am,
and for as much trouble as this may bring,
I can't keep it up anymore.
I'm an inspector for the Naughty-or-Nice List.
I understand you may have some questions,
or.
You might just want to sit there in silence.
That's... That's fine, I mean,
we could just sit here awkwardly...
- Hey! - Oh, hi.
- Hi. - Hi-hi.
Are we talking to someone?
[stammering] I, um... you look great.
Wow.
Hmm! Well, thank you very much.
It's a... It's a new jacket.
[chuckles]
I'm sorry I'm late.
I was dropping Charlie off
at Chuck E. Cheese to a birthday party.
It's so weird.
There's so much construction around there
over the holidays,
and every year!
Yeah, so weird.
[chuckles awkwardly]
You will never believe what I found yesterday.
I figured it out.
Figured what out?
Where we met.
[note crinkles]
You left it behind when we bumped into each other.
Yeah, about-about that...
Speaking from experience here,
I know we all take our jobs very seriously,
and sometimes, that means,
you know, shaming people for minor traffic violations.
Jason...
I was never a parking attendant.
I don't... I don't understand.
Jason, these last few days have been a whirlwind for me.
Yeah, for me, too.
But I've come to realize...
I'm not being fair to you.
I have to tell you something.
- [phone ringing] - Okay.
[ringing]
[sighs]
This is... This is work. I'm so sorry.
No, of course. Take it. Yeah.
[ringing]
Hey. Heidi, what's up?
Isabel! I hope it's not a bad time,
but... just wanted to find out
how quickly can you get on a plane?
A plane? W-Why?
It's... about Charlie's dad.
Rudolph found out about him.
Oh.
Right. Um, uh
yeah, I'll be... I'll be on the next flight.
I...
Hi.
Hi. Everything okay?
I've got a-a problem with work, and I-I really have to...
Oh, uh, yeah, no problem.
We can pick this up tomorrow.
This might take a week or so.
Uh, that's
uh, that's Christmas.
I'm sorry. I'm...
I'll let you know as soon as I'm back.
Oh, you-you forgot your coat.
Oh.
[chuckles]
Sorry. Thank you. I...
I gotta go.
Yeah.
Inspector 036?
Inspector 036...
[to self] Who are you?
[♪♪♪]
Look, I won't tell you what to do,
but you should fire them all immediately.
They need to know that there are consequences
for abusing their breaks.
There's-There's this old Chinese proverb
about a lion in a table.
I'm not going to bore you with all the details,
[snickers] but you do not want to be the table.
Just do what I do,
and sweeten them up first before ya... tck!
[knocks]
All right, Grandma.
Gotta go. Love you.
Ohh! Well
if it isn't my favorite inspector.
Can I offer you
some sweets?
I'm okay, thank you.
Well...
I guess it's straight to business, then.
I'm assuming you, uh
know why I called you in?
Yesterday morning, I received a video.
I will not reveal the source,
but it is someone
who I deem extremely trustworthy
and extremely handsome
a chip off the old block, if you will.
[chuckles smugly]
Anyhow.
You crossed a line, Isabel.
I don't need to tell
an inspector as decorated as yourself
about the dangers of fraternizing
with the subject's father.
Sir, if I may...
Article 1, Section 1, Rule 40...
You and I both know that rule was never intended
for picking out a Christmas tree together,
so effective immediately, you are off the case.
Charlie's characterization will be finalized as Naughty.
You are to cease all contact
with the girl and her father.
I have new information!
Sir, Charlie isn't Naughty.
Now, can we please [whimpers]
move on to something more pleasant?
Yeah.
Did I ever tell you the story of why...
I started this company?
Yes.
[disappointed] I did?
Yes, you have.
Huh.
Well
then, uh, this next chapter will make a lot more sense.
Ta-dah!
This is our future, Isabel
the next evolutionary step in Naughty-or-Nice assessment
one that eliminates all human error,
and embraces scientific certainty.
What...
What is this?
I'm glad you asked.
We have deployed 30 years of data
from all of the children in the world
to build a super-algorithm,
strong enough to determine
who's been Naughty and who's been Nice
with 99.9% accuracy.
99.9%?
That's basically 100%.
Yeah, with a difference of two million kids.
[chuckles] The point is
this new formula
will finally bring certainty to the Naughty-or-Nice List
without the need for inspectors or number-crunchers
or any human beings at all.
But that's the heart and soul of his company.
Now you understand
why this promotion is so important.
I'll be making my announcement after Christmas.
You can't...
You can't do this.
It's wrong, all of it.
What has gotten into you?
I won't stand by while you turn this list
into some sort of faceless math equation.
I admit,
I crossed a personal line with Charlie,
and I did it knowingly,
but because she needed me,
and the truth is
the truth is, I needed her.
She isn't Naughty, sir.
The things you consider Naughty are acts of love,
which I don't think you or this algorithm
could possibly understand,
and I only learned that because I got to know her.
The answer isn't to make our evaluations less human.
It's...
It's for us to become more human.
Excuse me?
Hmph.
I won't promise
that I will stay away from Charlie.
And, in fact, I, um...
I quit.
[footsteps recede]
[door opens]
[door thuds shut]
All right, boss
what do you think?
Still not straight.
[clunk]
Okay
how about now?
Perfect.
Okay.
[grunts]
Want to do the honors?
Should we call the fire department first?
Okay, let's do it together.
[♪♪♪]
It's so pretty! Right?
I've always loved this tradition.
Me too
except when I started the fire.
That was fun, too. I got ice cream.
What? You got ice cream?
Yeah. Mom would always take me for ice cream
when she was mad at you... three scoops!
You got three scoops?
Mm-hmm.
[chuckling]
Remember last year,
when I was really scared that Santa wasn't gonna come
because I was bad,
and then, on Christmas morning,
there were so many presents from Santa?
Yeah.
What made you think of that?
I don't know. Just
it was different from all the other years.
Santa's handwriting changed, and I can't figure out why.
[quietly] Yeah...
Maybe some years he has his elves do it.
That makes sense.
[♪♪♪]
Is Isabel coming to the opening?
Oh, no, honey.
I-I...
[sighs]
She's just, she's so busy with the power company.
I don't...
I don't think we're gonna see much of her anymore.
You know she doesn't really work
for the power company, right, Dad?
Wait.
What do you know?
[♪♪♪]
[man] My hat!
Hey, kid!
That's my hat!
[bells jingling]
I got it!
[jingling]
[♪♪♪]
Thank you. You're a good boy.
[jingling]
[cries out] Yes!
Okay, that just felt intentionally deceptive.
[wheezing] Oh! Boy
you... are hard to find!
Heidi?
- [wheezing] - What...
What are you doing here?
Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you.
Discretion! You know?
You could've just worn glasses.
[chuckles]
[laughs]
It's been a week.
I wanted to check in
make sure you weren't feeling sorry for yourself.
[sighs]
I was just so sure this was my calling, you know?
And now?
Now I wonder if I didn't just spend my entire life
making things worse.
I know I did for Jason and Charlie.
Sounds like an identity crisis.
Yeah.
[Heidi groans softly]
[both chuckling]
Look. You can ignore my advice, but
no one has ever seen you happier than when you were with Jason.
Wait, what?
Oh, the office is obsessed with the Jason tapes,
and when he saves you from that Christmas tree?
Oh...!
- [giggles suggestively] - Okay, okay, okay.
So now that your job isn't the problem
what are you still doing here?
Heidi, it's too late for all that.
I destroyed the trust with Jason,
and Charlie.
Charlie needs you.
I don't even know where to start with that.
Real life, there are no rules.
You get to follow your heart.
I'm sure you still remember how to do that.
Now this is the part where you realize
you have six hours
to get to Jason's restaurant opening.
Wait, six hours?
Mm-hmm.
What? How... how do you even know about that?
Oh, Isabel, please.
I'm your assistant.
It's my job to know everything about you.
Plus, I handle your mail.
And what about you? What are you gonna do?
They offered me Giuseppe's desk,
but I don't know...
I think I prefer to live in a world
that assumes everyone's nice
you know?
[chuckles]
Thanks for being my friend.
[♪♪♪]
You really should get going.
- All right. - Like, right now.
- Okay. - Now! Go on!
Good boy.
[♪♪♪]
Jimbo, I got another pizza person!
Amazing!
In you go!
Well, Jimbo
what do you think?
Uh, not much with words,
but if I had to pick one,
I'd say
"thank you."
I'm just glad I can make things right.
You sure did.
Dad, quick!
A customer's complaining that the ice cubes are too thin.
What? They're the perfect ratio!
[lively chatter, indistinct]
Don't mess this up.
[background chatter, indistinct]
[deep breath]
So I hear you have an issue with my ice.
I think we've been Parent Trapped.
[exhales]
We'll have time for questions later,
but first, appetizers?
Sure. What do you have?
Well, my personal favorite would be the ice cream pizza.
It's technically a dessert, but I know the chef.
Yeah, it's-it's good.
Well, then, that's what we'll do.
Okay. Jimbo!
That's one Sugar Frisbee for table 18.
Coming right up!
[chuckles] Not surprised she's running the place.
Oh, she's been in charge the whole time.
[chuckles]
I'm
really glad you're here.
I came to apologize.
I know I have a lot to explain.
Actually...
Charlie took care of that.
Oh?
And as a matter of fact,
I have something I need to tell you.
After
everything with her mom.
Charlie was, uh, was acting out.
You know, it was just, um, it was
it was all so much, you know?
Anyway, that Christmas morning, I, um... [sighs]
I couldn't sleep, so I went downstairs early,
and.
I couldn't believe it
underneath the tree, there was a lump of coal.
I didn't know what to do, so I, uh, I repurposed gifts
hoping she wouldn't realize
that Santa thought that she was Naughty.
Oh, Jason...
She's a good kid, Isabel.
I know.
Of course I know.
Nothing can prepare you for growing up without a mom.
It's
lonely,
and it's messy,
and they don't have any way to account for that.
"They"?
The company that makes the list
the whole formula,
it's just broken, and.
Charlie's gonna land on the Naughty List again.
[sighing] Oh...
All this time,
I thought I was helping
by watching these moments
that would otherwise slip through the cracks, but
these kids didn't need observing.
They needed understanding.
I thought I was making a difference.
You are making a difference.
Well, I'm definitely not anymore, because I...
I quit.
I see we're making progress.
[chuckles]
Your appetizer.
Oh... yum!
Wow, that looks great. So yummy.
Questions?
Yeah, I do have one.
Was Heidi in on this?
You're not the only one
that can talk to the Eyes of the World.
Very impressive!
[Jason] Well, what are you gonna do now?
You know what?
I think maybe it's time I take this into my own hands.
If they're not gonna fix the Naughty List,
then I'm gonna take this thing straight to the top.
[Jason] "The top"?
You mean...
The North Pole?
Yes.
Although, Santa doesn't always work out of the North Pole.
I think there's an address on my exit letter here
his headquarters.
Let's see, let's see.
Yes, he's located in...
[Jason and Charlie] Delaware?
What's he doing there?
I don't know, but I'm gonna find out.
If I leave right now, I think I can make it before Christmas.
We can't let you do that
at least not by yourself.
[♪♪♪]
[giggles]
[laughter]
All right, let's go!
Wait, wait, wait, the check!
[♪♪♪]
[indistinct conversations]
[♪♪♪]
[in unison] Wow!
[♪♪♪]
Hi. We are here to see Mr. Kringle.
Do you have an appointment?
This is more of a spur-of-the-moment,
- adrenaline-charged kind of deal. - Yeah.
Name, please?
Isabel Haynes.
Yeah, there's an "Isabel Haynes" here?
[chuckles and murmurs indistinctly]
Go on up.
Top of the stairs to the right.
You can't miss it.
[overlapping] Thank you.
- [hushed] Did you see Donner? - Yeah, I saw.
I can't believe we're gonna meet Santa!
What's he like?
I don't know. I've never met him.
I bet he shimmers like a hologram.
I bet you he flies, and it's not just his sleigh.
[♪♪♪]
[flames whoosh]
[♪♪♪]
Uh, excuse me?
[music playing in headphones]
You're not
Santa?
[laughing] No!
Well, maybe someday!
No, I don't have the mind for it, you know?
I'm Doug!
I'm his secretary.
Yeah, I-I gather up all the wishes, you know,
and then, you know, make sure they get to the big...
Oh! [Gasps]
It's you.
Relax. I'm not here to collect.
I like to think I've grown up a lot since then.
Hmm.
We're here to see Santa, Doug.
Oh, of course.
Yeah, you're in luck, but you'd better hurry
because he's about to leave to start delivering.
Right this way.
[♪♪♪]
[warmly] Well, hello, Isabel!
You know me?
Ho, ho, ho!
Of course I do.
Santa?
Well, you can call me Kris,
or, uh, Santa's fine.
Cocoa?
[whoosh]
[♪♪♪]
[chuckles]
So, uh, what did you think...
I'd be, uh, glimmering, like a hologram?
Yeah, kind of.
[chuckles]
I cannot tell you my delight
to hear that Isabel Haynes just so happened
to be paying me a visit.
Why is that?
Well, you might say I've been expecting you.
Are these my wishes I left as a child?
The ones that came true.
[♪♪♪]
"I wish
that she didn't have to eat lunch alone."
Lainey. December 23rd, 1995.
[chuckles]
"I wish he didn't always have to be so brave."
Marcus. June 22nd, 2003.
[♪♪♪]
[quietly] "I wish
that she could believe in Santa again."
What?
[Isabel chuckles]
[♪♪♪]
Never stop believing, Isabel.
Thank you, Santa.
Now, if you excuse me, I really do need to be going.
That first time zone is a doozy!
Santa, we actually came to talk to you.
Oh, of course.
I'm an inspector for the Naughty-or-Nice Group,
or at least I was until last week,
when I discovered a problem.
Problem?
Yes, I was assigned to Charlie here,
and our algorithm determined her to be Naughty,
but I can assure you, Santa, she's not.
The formula is wrong?
No, but the formula is the problem.
See, you've outsourced the List
to a company
that's completely lost sight of the meaning.
Well, let's settle this right now, shall we?
[Rudolph] Mr. Kringle?
I'm right in the middle of my year-end review.
Rudolph, I hate to interrupt.
I was wondering if I could grab you for a minute.
Well, actually, it is year-end and I am super busy.
[hangs up phone]
[snaps]
[whoosh]
[gasping]
Whoa.
I didn't know he could do that.
I didn't know he could do that!
I love doing that.
[chuckles]
Um, thank you for your time.
I was just speaking with your former associate,
who's concerned that your flawed formula
has found Charlie here to be Naughty.
[scoffing] Flawed?
There's nothing wrong with the formula,
and
if the little girl wants to land on the Nice List,
I suggest she try being nice.
Take it from me, little girl
coal... builds... character.
You didn't mean that.
Excuse me?
- May I? - Oh, uh, please.
You don't think coal's good?
You just did... a magic trick.
What are you talking about, Charlie?
[♪♪♪]
Well
when I want to hide a trick, all I gotta do is
make you look in the wrong direction.
That way, I distract you from the trick.
It's misdirection.
You hate coal.
I could see it in your face.
I'm on keto... and this is absurd!
Who are gonna believe? Me, or this Naughty little girl?
Well, I'm beginning to wonder that myself.
Santa, if I may...
I have observed kids in all corners of the world,
kids who fight and scream, kids who break rules,
kids who throw tantrums.
Our mistake was never the formula.
Our mistake was assuming that any child
could be Naughty in the first place.
Any child?
Adults make the rules.
Adults label "right" and "wrong",
"good" and "bad", "Naughty" or "Nice".
Kids don't operate that way.
It's not always that simple, you know?
They're just finding their way through the world, and it-it
[sighs] well, the world
can be a really confusing place sometimes.
We need to
to guide them, not judge them.
Santa, I'm afraid, by labeling kids "Naughty,"
we're not incentivizing them to be Nice.
Instead, we're creating mean adults.
[♪♪♪]
I've heard enough.
Rudolph?
- Mm-hmm? - I think it's time
we went in a different direction.
[chuckles nervously] Sir! Don't be hasty.
Especially, uh, uh...
- Merry Christmas. - [snap]
[poof]
Well... tsk.
It looks like we've outgrown the Naughty List.
Of course, that'll mean a few extra stops,
but, moving forward...
I could certainly use some help running the new operation.
What do you say?
I-I feel like I need to discuss this with them.
- Are you kidding? - Oh, you gotta take it!
- Take it! - Yes, take it.
Taking it. I'm taking it. I'm taking it.
And not to worry,
Miss Kringle is a strong supporter of working remotely.
How do you think we ended up in Delaware?
[all laughing]
[sighs] Isabel
thank you,
so much.
Now... I really need to be going.
I need to be over the Pacific Ocean in 15 minutes.
[chuckles]
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
[Charlie] Merry Christmas, Santa.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Mm.
[♪♪♪]
[poof]
[gasps]
[Jason gasps]
I knew it! I told you he could fly.
Uh, fly?
He was definitely a hologram.
- Did you see the shimmering? - Yes.
[♪♪♪]
[Isabel] That night,
we changed Christmas forever.
The supposedly Naughty kids
like Teddy and Eddie
got their Christmas gifts after all.
Never again would a child receive coal in their stocking.
And in the spirit of lists,
we decided to create a brand-new one
the Makeup List
to bring overdue gifts
to the grownups that had never received them.
For my next holiday magic trick,
be prepared to be wowed.
[♪♪♪]
[gasps]
Abracadabra?
[together] Abracadabra!
[♪♪♪]
[giggles]
It's Giuseppe!
[gasps]
Babbo Natale.
[singing softly in Italian]
[giggling deliriously] I really am a good boy.
[roaring] I'm a good boy!
[cackling with glee]
[♪♪♪]
I can't wait to make him disappear.
- [Isabel laughs] - Well, make sure he comes back.
[Charlie giggles]
It's so cute.
So...
I'm guessing, with everything that's happened,
this is gonna be your last Christmas off for a while.
You know what? It's actually my first.
Well, then, what do you want to do?
Glad you asked.
I made a list.
Oh, yeah, you sure did.
Okay, so I want to drink eggnog by the fire.
I want to go caroling.
I want to have a very big Christmas dinner.
Wait. You're missing something here.
Huh.
Interesting.
- [pen scratching paper] - Ah...
We don't need mistletoe for that.
[♪♪♪]
[Isabel] As for me,
well, I guess you could say
I finally figured out
the true meaning of the whole thing.
[♪♪♪]